Divertimento Ensemble

Divertimento Ensemble brings together some of the finest professionals around. It is a flexible-sized group of musicians that perform major works of chamber music with players who love the repertoire. The Ensemble gives concerts with a variety of different sizes of chamber groups, from Quartets to Octets for strings, and with works like the Schubert Octet, Beethoven Septet which include wind instruments.

They have in their repertoire the complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos and have featured in a Rosamunde Pilcher film for German TV.

Orchestral Fixing

Divertimento Ensemble is booked regularly by choirs throughout the South West. The orchestra’s players are among the finest professionals around and having played together for many years are a very cohesive ensemble.

Some of the distinguished musicians who play with Divertimento Ensemble include;

Mary Eade – violin; Mary was a member of the English Chamber Orchestra and London Festival Orchestra before moving to Devon where she appears regularly as soloist, leader of orchestras, and in chamber ensembles.

Judith Hall – flute; Judith began her career as Principal Flute with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and has since developed an international solo career.

Colin Parr – clarinet; Colin was principal clarinet with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for 34 years.

Lynn Carter – Oboe; Born in the American Midwest, Lynn was, at the age of 21, offered the job of Principal Oboe of the Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM in Mexico City, where she also enjoyed frequent solo and chamber work. She studied with Heinz Holliger and played in many German and Swiss orchestras. She came to the South West in 1985 and now plays with many local groups and orchestras.

Martin Gatt – bassoon; Martin was principal bassoon of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra until 1998. He was also bassoonist in the Barry Tuckwell Wind Quintet and professor of bassoon at Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

There could have been no finer way of spending a lunchtime than in the company of four such talented players, with a delightfully varied programme, and given in such an informal and laid-back fashion. Opening with J C Bach’s charming Quartet in B flat, the performance quickly settled into a virtuoso display of woodwind technique, finely complemented by the three string-players. American-born oboist, Lynn Carter brought great stamina to her playing, with a full-bodied tone across the range, carefully shaded dynamics, and especially neat articulation. Britten’s Phantasy Quartet is not such an easy listen, but here Lynn’s potted lecture-recital introduction proved most helpful in guiding the listener through the work. Indeed, having each performer introduce one work each in such a succinct, yet absorbing manner, was another plus, and the ideal role model for those who favour the more rambling, time-consuming approach. Carl Stamitz’s E flat Quartet displayed some highly operatic writing, allowing violinist, Mary Eade, Andrew Gillett (viola) and cellist, Vicky Evans, more than adequate opportunities to steal the limelight from the oboe, albeit temporarily. Mozart’s Oboe Quartet proved the perfect finale to a most enjoyable programme, and the current season as such, and epitomised all that was good about this recital – first-class technique, musical and well-rehearsed playing, but most of all a real sense of enjoyment which is surely what it’s ultimately all about.